Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 131 Ava: The Party (II)

Breathe, Selene reminds me, her voice cutting through the chaos. You're okay. Just take it one step at a time.

I inhale deeply, letting the air fill my lungs before exhaling slowly.

Lisa tugs on my arm again, pointing towards the kitchen. "Let's get something to drink," she suggests, already moving in that direction.

I follow her through the crowd, keeping my eyes fixed on the back of her head. The kitchen is quieter, the music muffled by the walls and the hum of conversation. A few shifters are gathered around the island, pouring drinks and chatting amongst themselves.

Lisa grabs two plastic cups from the stack on the counter, handing one to me before turning to the array of bottles lined up beside the sink. "What do you want?" she asks, her gaze flicking over the labels.

"Just water," I remind her, echoing Kellan's earlier instructions.

She rolls her eyes but reaches for a pitcher of water anyway, filling both of our cups. "You're no fun," she teases, taking a sip from her own.

I shrug, lifting my cup to my lips. The water is cold and crisp, soothing my parched throat. I hadn't realized how thirsty I was until now.

As I drink, I let my gaze wander around the kitchen, taking in the faces of the shifters gathered there. A few of them look vaguely familiar, but most are strangers.

One girl catches my eye, her gaze meeting mine over the rim of her cup. She's tall and slender, with long dark hair that falls in waves down her back. There's something about the way she holds herself, the tilt of her chin and the set of her shoulders, that speaks of confidence and power.

She smiles at me, a slow, lazy curl of her lips that sends a shiver down my spine. I look away quickly, my cheeks heating.

a hint of amusement in her

I ask, taking another sip

hear the smirk in

that, not quite sure what she means. But before I

says, tugging me towards the doorway. "I think I see some people

back into the throng, my cup clutched tightly in my hand. The music washes over

I push those thoughts aside. Tonight, I'm just Ava. Not the Alpha's mate, not a pawn

seen such friendly looks on their faces, and it helps ease some of the

at Lisa. "Come over here! We've been waiting

red hair and bright blue eyes. I don't remember her name, but Lisa does, dragging me behind her as she squeals. "Hey, Mia! We barely got the beta to let us out

an arm over Mia's shoulders. He's reasonably attractive when he isn't

me with her elbow. "Sounds

my direction. "Can't believe he's finally been claimed. Every single she-wolf has been salivating over him

male jokes, and several of the shifters laugh

face from the gym—someone else whose name

my water, I slip around until my back is to a wall, watching everyone

notice me or care that

Well, almost no one.

from before, her eyes still fixed on me. There's something unsettling about the intensity of her stare, the way her

presence in my